• Home
  • About
    • Authors
  • Articles
    • Archives
    • Chaplain
    • Crime & Controversy
    • Community
    • Cop Humor
    • Editorial
    • Op-ed
    • Gear & Technology
    • Investigations
    • Laws & Legal
    • Leadership
    • News
    • Officer Down
    • On Duty
    • Tactics
  • Network
    • Illinois Network
    • Minneapolis Network
    • Tulsa Network
    • Wauwatosa Network
    • Learn more
  • Training
  • Jobs
  • Contact
No Result
View All Result
Law Officer
Law Officer
No Result
View All Result

Virginia Tech football player faces murder charges for beating sex partner to death after discovering victim was male

The suspect thought he was having sex with a female

Isimemen David Etute

Isimemen David Etute (Montgomery County Jail)

June 9, 2021
Law OfficerbyLaw Officer
Share and speak up for justice, law & order...

CHRISTIANSBURG, Va. — In a fatal case of “bait and switch” or “false advertising,” a Virginia Tech football player told police he punched a sexual partner five times in the face and stomped on him after discovering the person he thought was a woman was actually a man, according to arguments presented Wednesday in a Montgomery County courtroom.

Ismemen David Etute was arrested and charged with second-degree murder June 2, in the death of Jerry Paul Smith, a Blacksburg restaurant worker, The Roanoke Times reported.

Jerry Paul Smith

Jerry Paul Smith (Courtesy of Smith family via The Roanoke Times)

According to Etute’s statements to police and disclosed in court Wednesday during a bond hearing, the football player visited the victim’s apartment April 10 for oral sex after he was matched up with someone named “Angie” on Tinder. Etute returned to the apartment May 31 to engage in sexual activity and discovered the person he was matched up with was a man, according to summaries of the evidence made by both the prosecutor and defense attorney.

After discovering the “misrepresentation,” Etute told the police he punched the victim several times in the face, knocking him to the ground. While the victim was floored, Etute “stomped” on the man.

Etute heard “bubbling and gurgling” as he left the apartment, but didn’t call the police, according to The Roanoke Times

The autopsy revealed all the bones in Smith’s face were broken, his teeth were missing and he had multiple cranial fractures. The medical examiner’s office had previously revealed that Smith had died from blunt force trauma to the head.

Police discovered Smith’s body in the apartment in the 100 block of Blacksburg’s North Main Street on June 1. It was unclear how law enforcement became aware of the crime, although prior reports say Smith was killed on Memorial Day.

During an emotional bond hearing, Etute’s attorney, Jimmy Turk, told the court, “I’m not saying what happened was acceptable, but this was more than someone just showing up to an apartment and punching someone.”

“I’ve tried more than 100 murder cases in my lifetime, and normally I don’t even ask for bail,” Turk told the judge with his voice quivering, according to the Times. “If there’s ever been a time for someone to be considered for bail, this is it.”

Etute was released on a $75,000 secured bond under house arrest and electronic monitoring, according to a release put out by Commonwealth’s Attorney Mary Pettitt. The order restricts Etute from returning to Montgomery County except to consult with his attorney or to attend court proceedings.

After the hearing concluded, Turk spoke with reporters outside the courtroom.

“Nobody deserves to die, but I don’t mind saying, don’t pretend you are something that you are not,” he said. “Don’t target or lure anyone under that perception. That’s just wrong.”

Since the arrest, Etute has been suspended from Virginia Tech University and its football program.


Share and speak up for justice, law & order...
Tags: college footballIsmemen David EtuteJerry Paul SmithJimmy TurkvirginiaVirginia Tech
Law Officer

Law Officer

Law Officer is the only major law enforcement publication and website owned and operated by law enforcement—for law enforcement and supporters of justice, law, and order. This unique facet makes Law Officer much more than just a publishing company, but a true advocate for the law enforcement profession.

Related Posts

Virginia agency bringing back ‘retired’ cops to fill the beat

July 26, 2022
Julio Alvarado-Dubon

Mass shooting plot foiled after ‘hero citizen’ notifies police of potential terror

July 6, 2022
SCOTUS marshal

SCOTUS marshal asks state officials to act on protests at justices’ homes

July 4, 2022
Isimemen Etute

Former Virginia Tech football player acquitted of mistaken-gender-identity murder of Tinder date

May 28, 2022
Virginia woman

Virginia woman arrested after police aircraft pilot temporarily blinded by laser

May 18, 2022
Georgia

Democrat official indicted on 82 counts of voter fraud

May 11, 2022
Load More

Latest Articles

comedian

Comedian wants to see police chase footage in car commercials

August 17, 2022
Rachel Dollard

Tennessee woman charged with murder after drug-transferring kiss leads to inmate’s overdose death

August 17, 2022
Noah Shahnavaz

Police get bullet resistant windshields after officer killed inside patrol unit

August 17, 2022
Virginia school superintendent

Texas school district adds six SROs

August 17, 2022
accomplices

Three accomplices in Mall of America shooting released from jail

August 17, 2022
TJ Cox

California Democrat arrested by feds on slew of corruption charges

August 17, 2022
Load More

Weekly E-Newsletter

Subscribe—and get the latest news and editorials direct from Law Officer each week!

[newsletter_form type="minimal"]

MUST READ

Noah Shahnavaz

Police get bullet resistant windshields after officer killed inside patrol unit

August 17, 2022
Virginia school superintendent

Texas school district adds six SROs

August 17, 2022
Miami-Dade officer critical

Miami-Dade officer critical, armed robbery suspect dead following car chase

August 16, 2022
SRO

SRO disarms student who pulled gun during fight

August 16, 2022
Washington officer killed

Politicians are lying to you!

August 15, 2022
Load More

JOIN THE FIGHT

SAFEGUARD RECRUITING

Police Officers Needed – Entry level and lateral applicants wanted!

February 14, 2022

Deputy Sheriff

February 3, 2022

Dispatcher

January 25, 2022

Deputy Sheriff (POST Certified)

January 25, 2022

BE COURAGEOUS

FIND MORE…

Law Officer

© 2021 LawOfficer.com

LawOfficer.com

  • Home
  • About
  • Advertise
  • Privacy Policy
  • Corrections
  • Contact

Speak up for justice, law & order

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • About
    • Authors
  • Articles
    • Archives
    • Chaplain
    • Crime & Controversy
    • Community
    • Cop Humor
    • Editorial
    • Op-ed
    • Gear & Technology
    • Investigations
    • Laws & Legal
    • Leadership
    • News
    • Officer Down
    • On Duty
    • Tactics
  • Network
    • Illinois Network
    • Minneapolis Network
    • Tulsa Network
    • Wauwatosa Network
    • Learn more
  • Training
  • Jobs
  • Contact

© 2021 LawOfficer.com